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December, an Elfchen
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone, to the final Poetry Friday of 2023! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Amazing watercolorist Michelle Hogan is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup this week. I feel like I’m in a contest to see how many times I can say the same two words in one paragraph :>D 2023
You, Moon, a Poetryaction to the Museum on the Moon
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I haven’t read as many picture books/poetry books this year as I usually do. But I finally got my hands on one I’ve been eager to read. I bet you’ve read or at least read about Irene Latham’s lovely The Museum on the Moon poetry
Give the Gift of Belonging
December is a rough time of year for anybody who’s feeling sad or left out. That makes it the perfect time to share We Belong, with its message of belonging and inclusivity. You could also print out this lovely mini-poster and display it, using it to jump start a discussion on belonging. And if you
Creator, WRAD, and NCTE 2024?
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) I’m still processing NCTE 2023, but I know proposals are in progress right now for NCTE 2024, with its theme of Heart Hope Humanity. I’d love to attend and take part in 1–3 sessions. I’m especially interested in poetry, picture books, nonfiction, writing process, and
Great Board Books of 2023
I’m so grateful that Puddle Song is on Betsy Bird’s list of Great Board Books of 2023! She says:
NCTE and Morning Is…, a list/cento poem
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Whew! What a couple of weeks it’s been–NCTE one week and Thanksgiving the next. I’m grateful for both, but I’m glad to be quietly at home now :>) NCTE was difficult for me this year. I think it’s partly because I hadn’t been in FOUR
How Animals Survive Winter – a Memory Game
Brrr! Winter is well on its way here in Minnesota (some say it was on its way back in August–haha), and the animals have figured out how best to survive it. If you read Snack, Snooze, Skedaddle with your students, you can follow it up with this memory game to help reinforce the ideas of
Hawk, Inspired by Valerie Worth’s Small Poems
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Happy Thanksgiving! I was at NCTE last weekend, and I have so much to be grateful for about that. I’ll share some pics and stories next Friday! Meanwhile, this month, we were writing poems in the style of Valerie Worth. I so enjoyed
I Need You Need Me
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Today, Friday, I’m in Columbus, OH, for NCTE! It’s my first time attending since 2019, and it feels exciting and overwhelming. I’m not nearly as organized and prepared as I like to be for a big conference, but that’s just the reality of life lately.
Give Sheep Some Wool!
It’s mitten season! It’s the perfect time to read If You Want to Knit Some Mittens! Illustrator Angela Matteson made some really cute activity sheets to go with If You Want to Knit Some Mittens. Here’s a little craft project for your students! You can give Sheep some wool, just like a real sheep grows
Recipe for a Song–and NCTE!
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) How on earth is it Friday already? Eep! I’m just re-sharing a few things today, as I’m immersed in prepping for some speaking engagements Monday as well as for NCTE. First, I’m doing a webinar with SCBWI on Monday! Whee–more info here. Second, here’s
NCTE and a Thanksgiving Poem
One of the things I’m grateful for is that I’m going to NCTE this year! I haven’t been since 2019, and how I’ve missed it. When it had to be canceled in 2020, I was heartbroken. Not only did I miss seeing all my NCTE friends, but 3 (3!) of my books had been named
We’re Bats, an Award, and NCTE!
Happy Poetry Friday! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Well, no trick or treaters came by on our chilly Tuesday night, so now I’m battling those peanut butter cup treats all by myself! Last week, I didn’t make it in with a bat poem, so I’m sharing this one this week. I’ve written a
A Thankful Venn Diagram #ClassroomConnections
I can’t believe it’s time to think about Thanksgiving! This will be the first time in more than 10 years, I think, that both our daughters will be here for Thanksgiving. Maddie’s lived overseas all that time, and Annabelle was out of state some of those years too. Lots to be thankful for! I’m also
Her Time Will Come, a Bouts-Rimés Draft
Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.) Well, I feel guilty even posting this. Not only did I NOT get to the live write with my poetry sisters last weekend, I barely know what this form is. I just took the rhymed pairs that my more diligent wordsters donated and
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Are You Looking For?
Go to my Poetry page for:
- National Poetry Month projects through the years
- Small Reads Roundups (poems grouped by topic)
- Introductions to several favorite poetry forms